AN LDV Vans Trophy tie may not be the hottest ticket in town, but at least the second half against Roch-dale on Tuesday rescued it from being the non-event of the year.

Chester were eager to bounce back from the 4-1 defeat at Yeovil on Saturday which ended their unbeaten run, but there was little evidence in the first half that their hearts - or minds - were really in it.

Coupled with Rochdale's apparent indifference, the out-come was a dreary encounter which seemed to justify the decision of many Chester fans to stay away.

Ian Rush had no hesitation in reshuffling his side, making nine changes from the team which lost at Huish Park, and he must have been disappointed that the players he selected failed to produce any fireworks.

It was so uninspiring that City needed Guy Fawkes to be sent on as a half-time substitute.

Instead, Michael Branch was introduced in place of Andy Watson, who looked off the pace in his first start for the club following a long injury lay-off, and the striker did a pretty good job of lighting up the Saunders Honda Stadium with some fizzing runs and whizz-bang shooting.

Rush summed it up well when he admitted both teams looked like they were waiting to be beaten, and his bold decision to make two interval substitutions - Richard Hope also replaced Phil Bolland - was fully rewarded.

City's play after the break dramatically improved with Branch's pace causing the Rochdale defence huge problems, and his team-mates responded by finding the desire to produce some good, attacking football.

The match winner came from an unlikely source, Sean Hessey popping up with the goal and going close a few minutes later to doubling the lead.

With Daryl Clare also looking sharp, Rochdale couldn't quite believe they were playing the same team and they were on the ropes when Branch produced a blistering shot following a run from the wing which rattled the bar.

Rochdale recovered some composure towards the end and even threatened to force a period of extra time that few in the ground would have welcomed. But Colin Doyle, City's on-loan goalkeeper from Birmingham City, produced two saves to confirm his promise after looking a little uncertain in the air in the first half.